Extra Points: Peterson, Blackmon, Redskins
The NFL announced today that they have inked a new multi-year deal with DirectTV. Terms weren’t disclosed, but a source with knowledge of the deal told ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell that the pact is for eight years. The right fee was worth an average of $1.5 billion a year, up 50% from the $1 billion a year average DirecTV will pay through this season. Here’s more from around the league..
- One of the topics on the agenda for the NFL owners meetings next week will be to discuss how teams should be financially responsible for players who are banned while being paid full salaries, sources told Ed Werder of ESPN.com. The Vikings are paying Adrian Peterson his full salary and the Panthers are doing the same with Greg Hardy per the conditions of the commissioner’s exempt list. One model that could be discussed is whether all teams should share the financial burden in such extreme situations.
- Suspended Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon has voluntarily checked into a treatment facility and coach Gus Bradley says he’s “doing very well,” writes Mark Long of The Associated Press. Of course, given his litany of off-the-field problems and status with the league office, we shouldn’t expect to see the former first-round pick back on the gridiron anytime soon.
- Former Dolphins quarterback Pat Devlin worked out for the Redskins on Monday, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
- In addition to safety Jamarca Sanford, who they signed earlier this week, the Redskins also worked out defensive backs Robert Steeples, Charles Mitchell, and Thomas Wolfe, guard William Campbell, wide receivers Chris Harper and Vidal Hazelton, and tackle Richard Muldrow. according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter links).
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is glad that his team picked up center A.Q. Shipley just before the season started, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “A.Q. has done a great job of coming in, being a pro,” quarterback Andrew Luck said. “Came in the Monday before we played our opener, and starts that opener. Heck of a job, and I’m glad that we had history beforehand from my rookie year where we played a bunch of games together…He’s a consummate professional and the type of teammate, the type of guy you want in a locker room.” Shipley faces his former team, the Ravens, this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Broncos Cut Winston Justice, Ten Others
The Broncos have released 11 players, as they move toward the Tuesday deadline to reduce the roster to 75 players, reports Brian McIntyre of NFL.com (via Twitter). One notable name from this wave of cuts is Winston Justice, who the team re-signed earlier this offseason. Justice was set to be a backup in 2014.
Here is the full list of players released by the Broncos today, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post (via Twitter):
- Winston Justice OT
- Brennan Clay RB
- Jerodis Williams RB
- Greg Hardin WR
- Greg Wilson WR
- Jerrell Harris LB
- Charles Mitchell CB
- Will Pericak DL
- Bryn Renner QB
- Jamar Chaney LB (terminated/injured)
- Chase Vaughn LB (waived/injured)
That brings the team down to 77 players, with three more cuts to come in the next two days. Klis notes that receiver and returner Jordan Norwood also seems destined for the waived/injured list, which would bring it to 76 players.
Minor Moves: Bowanko, Broncos, Rice Jr.
Here are an assortment of moves on this Monday afternoon…
- The Jaguars have announced the signing of sixth-round pick Luke Bowanko, according to the team’s Twitter account. His signing bonus will be worth $94,052, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
- The Panthers have signed punter Jordan Gay and cut offensive linemen Travis Bond, Michael Jasper and Phillipkeith Manley, according to the team’s Twitter account. Gay was waived by the Giants last week.
- The Broncos have signed a trio of players, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun (via Twitter): Charles Mitchell, Chase Vaughn and Greg Hardin. Mitchell is a former draft pick of the Falcons and Vaughn has been in the UFL since 2010. Hardin was announced as an undrafted free agent signee last week.
- The Broncos also waived injured defensive end John Youboty, according to Lindsay Jones of USA Today (via Twitter). The former practice squad participant suffered an achilles injury and is expected to be placed on the IR after clearing waivers.
- The Bears have released running back Willie Carter, writes ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright.
- Jerry Rice Jr. will join the 49ers for the rookie minicamp, the player announced on his twitter. The son of legendary receiver Jerry Rice will be a non-roster player, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Minor Moves: Seahawks, Cowboys, Colts, Chiefs
With teams adding draft picks and undrafted free agents, cuts may have to be made in order to clear spots on 90-man rosters for the new arrivals. We can expect those cuts to dominate today’s list of minor transactions. Here are the latest moves, with updates added to the top of the list throughout the day:
- A little over a month after signing a three-year deal with the Seahawks, long snapper Jorgen Hus is on waivers, having been cut by Seattle, per Brian McIntyre (via Twitter).
- Guard Chris DeGeare, defensive tackle Frank Kearse, wide receiver Lance Lewis, defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo, linebacker Quinton Spears, and linebacker Jabara Williams have been cut by the Cowboys, per Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Earlier updates:
- The Colts have waived four players, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter): Linebacker Alan Baxter, fullback Stephen Cambell, tight end Martell Webb, and kicker Carson Wiggs.
- Wideout Rashad Ross has been waived by the Chiefs, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
- After adding a quarterback (A.J. McCarron) in the draft, the Bengals have released Josh Johnson, per Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Twitter).
- The Dolphins have also parted ways with a quarterback, cutting Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Aaron Rodgers, the team announced today (via Twitter). In addition to Rodgers, wide receiver Michael Rios was also waived.
- The Bills have released running back Anthony Allen, according to a team release. Allen had signed a futures contract with the club in January.
- The Bills are waiving offensive tackle Jamaal Johnson-Webb, a league source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Johnson-Webb spent some time on Buffalo’s practice squad last season and signed a futures contract with the club after the season.
- The Chiefs are cutting fullback Eric Kettani, according to Wilson. Like Johnson-Webb, Kettani didn’t actually see any playing time for his club, having signed a futures contract following the 2013 season. Wilson notes that the Navy product is expected to draw some interest in free agency, however.
- Defensive back Charles Mitchell has been waived by the Broncos, the team announced today (via Twitter). The former Falcon didn’t appear in a regular season game for Denver.